Sex=Heroin

Wow, I just read one really interesting piece of internet editorial and considering the amount of time I spend on the internet, that is saying something. Its about the "Coolidge effect" which is basically a name for the body's quest for new sexual partners and also somewhat of an explanation of why people pursue new partners compulsively, even if they already have someone. It's not an excuse or even a justification of that behavior, it's an explanation of how that behavior is tied to dopamine's addictive nature, genetic evolution and the human brain. When you have sex with someone new your brain releases more dopamine than it does when you have sex with someone you have been sleeping with regularly. It's a better chemical high. It happens in all animals (though I can't remember if they actually tested it in humans - if you learn it in the article post it in the comments). Of course, it's the end of the article that ties it all together and brings rationality back into the picture (so we all don't run out and sex ourselves silly, fun as it may be), a committed and trusting relationship lengthens life and improves health more than any amount of sex will ever do. Submitting to the Coolidge effect actually depletes health and well being (at least in rats). I knew nothing about the site where all this info came from and it turns out to be somewhat of a hippie, new-age site, but definitely check the out Coolidge effect piece through the link above.